Acts 20:22-26
‘Paul…sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders…. He said…”I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there!… None of these things move me! Neither do I count my life dear to me — so that I might finish my course with joy!… I know that you all…shall see my face no more!”‘ Acts 20:16-25.
Calvin comments the Ephesians Elders “were never going to see him (Paul) again…. This…should always remain before their eyes — and the memory of it survive, after his death….
“He denies…he knows what will happen to him at Jerusalem. Yet, because he had been warned by many predictions that bonds were waiting for him there…, he puts an end to the hope of his return — as if he were already prepared to die….
“‘(I go) bound in the Spirit (to Jerusalem)!’… It is the inward power and influence of the Holy Spirit that is meant…. He was freely or calmly following the secret leading or inspiration of the Spirit…. He asserts that the Spirit is the Promoter and Guide of his journey…. He had good cause for undertaking a journey that the Spirit ordered…. Let us learn from the example of the holy man, not to kick against the Spirit of God — but obediently to surrender ourselves to Him to direct us!…
“The same Spirit…warns Paul in advance of bonds and afflictions…. We are not absolved on that account, from obeying the Commandments of God!… Those men are deceiving themselves in vain who put a limit on acting correctly…, who by way of excuse thrust forward inconveniences, injuries and finally the danger of death!
“‘But I do not care, and life itself is not precious to me!’ All the godly…ought to be composed in their minds like this, so that setting aside everything else — they may hasten to obey God in the right course of action…. Life…ought (not) to be despised, seeing…we have been created as the image of God so we may meditate upon that blessed immortality that is reserved for us in Heaven…. But because it is…arranged for us like a racecourse, it is proper…to make haste to the winning-post and to overcome obstacles — so that nothing may impede or delay us on the course!
“For it is a shameful thing for us to be so gripped by a blind love of living, that because of life we lose the reasons for living!… Paul…does not…esteem his life as of no value, but he puts consideration of it out of his mind — so that he may finish his course…. He is not possessed by any desire to live, except to satisfy the call of God…. For that reason…the loss of life will not be a serious thing for him, provided that he is coming near by death to the goal of the function that God had prescribed for him!…
“Notice his words, ‘with joy’…. He means…there is no sadness or mourning when the faithful are deprived of life, but that they live and die to the Lord joyfully!… This lays the foundation of the Kingdom…, by the renewal of men as the image of God — until it is finally completed in the last resurrection!” For Paul expected afflictions, and counted not his life as dear! How dear is your life?
